Detecting esophageal disorders

Abstract

Provided herein is technology for esophageal disorder screening and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting the presence of esophageal disorders (e.g., Barrett's esophagus, Barrett's esophageal dysplasia, etc.). In addition, the technology provides methods, compositions and related uses for distinguishing between Barrett's esophagus and Barrett's esophageal dysplasia, and between Barrett's esophageal low-grade dysplasia, Barrett's esophageal high-grade dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma within samples obtained through endoscopic brushing or nonendoscopic whole esophageal brushing or swabbing using a tethered device (e.g. such as a capsule sponge, balloon, or other device).

We claim: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 extracting genomic DNA from a biological sample of a human individual suspected of having or having gastro-intestinal neoplasm, 
 treating the extracted genomic DNA with bisulfite, 
 amplifying the bisulfite-treated genomic DNA using primers specific for no more than ten markers, wherein the no more than ten markers include either ZNF682 or ZNF682 and NDRG4, 
 measuring the methylation level of the CpG site for the markers by methylation-specific PCR, quantitative methylation-specific PCR, methylation-sensitive DNA restriction enzyme analysis, or bisulfite genomic sequencing PCR. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein one of the no more than ten markers is VAV3. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample comprises cells, tissues, and/or secretions from the upper gastrointestinal tract and/or the lower gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biological sample is a stool sample, a tissue sample, a blood sample, or a urine sample.